Vega School (IIE Vega)

Vega School (officially IIE Vega School) is a specialist private tertiary institution focused on the intersection of design, brand and business – widely regarded as South Africa’s leading brand-focused school. Founded in 1999, Vega is an educational brand of The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE), the country’s largest and most accredited private higher education provider and a subsidiary of the JSE-listed ADvTECH Group. In 2026, Vega united with Varsity College, IIE MSA and the School of Hospitality and Service Management under the new Emeris banner.

Because its qualifications are conferred by The IIE, Vega is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education provider under the Higher Education Act, with programmes accredited by the Council on Higher Education and registered on the National Qualifications Framework. It offers a full ladder of qualifications – from higher certificates and diplomas to bachelor’s, honours, master’s and doctoral degrees – in fields such as graphic design, brand communication, brand management, strategic brand leadership and creative business, delivered full-time, part-time or online.

Vega’s teaching philosophy, captured in its mantra “wisdomwithmagic,” trains creatives in strategy and strategists in design-thinking through experiential learning, small class groups and real-world projects – most famously the annual Vega Brand Challenge. Campuses in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban are equipped with digital, creative, photographic and sound studios, and the school has a strong record of graduate employability and industry recognition, including top placements at the Loerie Awards. Full programme, fee and admissions details are available directly from the institution.